Range Finder Binoculars are one of those bits of kit that have been developed to provide stickiness to customers or fill a need that doesn’t really exist.
You take a very good pair of binoculars that will last a lifetime.
You add electronics to the equation. This adds a button that flashes up little numbers, its add weight and it adds considerable expense.
If you look at the warranties most optic manufacturers offer, its for optic part and often this is for lifetime. The electronic bit is not covered and usually only a few years. And when it fails you have a heavy pair of binoculars.
Instead spend your money a really good pair of straightforward binoculars. Use them as binoculars.
For range finding - other tools to use
1) your scope reticle - look at your book of words and see the subtension between centre of thin and thick reticles. You can very quickly learn how a deer that is in range looks.
2) Google earth on your phone. You have a good accurate range measuring tool on there. Drop a pin where you are and a pin where the target is and it gives you the range.
3) ordanance survey maps - again you can measure ranges.
2) and 3) are best done as part of looking at new land. Measure key obvious distances across fields - or distance from the wall to woodland edge. You really need to know that a deer is within point blank range. If its too far its too far so does not matter if its 623 of 859m.
4) if you want portable range finding either buy a dedicated little range finder or a thermal optic with an embedded range. Most have these. Expect such devices to have a finite life and that they will disposed of at some point - ie just like any other electronics. And take this when you need such capability.
This is what I do as well.
I have measure map pro on my phone, Ordnance survey map on my phone as well, I use the recording feature , then I can look back where I walked before.
Having a the MBPR set for the Rifle/ammo combo your using helps and a good understanding of your Scope and mil dot reticle makes life easier as well.
I do have a rangefinder in my thermal, but not used most of the time, because when I look through my scope I know if the shot is on or not.
The problem lies when you keep changing kit for the latest/greatest carlos fandango kit, and never get the time to use before you've bought something else.
Telegraph poles across a field for instance are about 100 yards apart, at least they are my way.
If I go to a new piece of land, I study it on google maps beforehand that way you can see the unseen that help make safe decisions on backstops,
you can measure distances to and from a point, so you have a good idea before you get there.
